A new study using artificial intelligence has challenged long-held assumptions about two sketches by Renaissance master Hans Holbein the Younger. Researchers at the University of Bradford, working with independent scholar Karen Davies, suggest that a portrait long considered to be Anne Boleyn may actually depict her mother, Elizabeth Howard, while a previously unidentified woman could be the tragic queen herself.
The Holbein Corpus and Misattribution
The two works in question, known as the Windsor sketch and the Unidentified Woman, belong to the Royal Collection. For centuries, the Windsor sketch has been labeled as Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife, who was executed in 1536. However, Davies noticed inconsistencies: the sitter in the Windsor sketch has light skin and red hair, while historical descriptions of Boleyn often mention a darker complexion. Additionally, the Holbein corpus of over 80 images is known for inconsistent labeling. Davies estimates that fewer than 15% of the works have contemporary documentary verification, with some portraits misidentified since the 1700s.
AI Analysis and Clustering
Professor Hassan Ugail, director of the Centre for Visual Computing at the University of Bradford, developed an AI model to compare images within the Holbein corpus. The model created a matrix of similarities, clustering paintings that were visually close. The Unidentified Woman fell into the Boleyn-Howard cluster, while the Windsor sketch aligned more closely with images of Elizabeth Howard, Anne Boleyn's mother. This suggests that the inscriptions may have been swapped or incorrectly assigned centuries ago.
Implications for Art History
Davies hopes the findings will open up debate about the Holbein corpus and encourage reassessment of other works. She stated, "I think now we’ve opened up the question. It’s not like we’re making a claim and that’s the thing settled. I hope that there’s a debate about reassessment more widely." A Royal Collection Trust spokesperson welcomed the research, saying, "In sharing the royal collection and opening it up for research, we welcome further discussion, debate and new information."
Holbein's Tudor Portraits
Hans Holbein the Younger, born in Augsburg, Germany, worked in Basel before moving to England to escape the chaos of the Reformation. He specialized in portraits and sketches of the Tudor court, capturing figures like Thomas More and Anne Boleyn. His works remain among the finest Renaissance-era artworks. Earlier this year, the Hever "Rose" portrait of Boleyn was analyzed, with historians suggesting it was created as a rebuttal to claims that she was a witch with a sixth finger.
The new AI analysis adds another layer to the ongoing mystery of Holbein's sitters, demonstrating how technology can help unravel centuries-old art historical puzzles.
